Vegan Chorizo Empanadas
This was the most popular dish at my vegan Mexican feast and my guests didn’t believe the filling was not actually made with chorizo. I made 24 for six people and we had just a couple left over. Mr B, said he was dreaming about these all night and so we ended up having the rest for breakfast the next day!
The trick to this dish and any meat substitute is to impart the flavours of the dish you are impersonating. For the chorizo therefore the balance of smoky paprika and chilli for the subtle smoky spicy undertone, is the key. Don’t be afraid to be bold with the spicing as you’ll be wrapping these babies with a blanket of puff pasty and so will have to get through that first to get to the flavor
These are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner, as Mr B will attest, as well as holding up well during travel, for a picnic or packed lunch
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 lb. vegan mince
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp. oregano dry
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 2 tsp. smoked paprika
- ½ tsp. chilli powder
- ½ tsp. salt or more to taste
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ½ cup. Vegetable broth
- 1 tsp. raw sugar
- 4 sheets of puff pastry
- Water and almond milk for glazing
Method
- In a medium skillet heat the coconut oil
- Add the vegan mince, sauté for a few minutes, add onions and garlic and continue cooking until the onions are soft and translucent
- Add the oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, chilli powder, salt, pepper, vegetable broth and sugar
- Cook for 10-15 minutes till the broth is gone
- Add more smoked paprika or chilli powder to taste
- Preheat the oven to 350f/250c
- Working with one puff pastry sheet at a time, roll it out so it is long enough to cut 6 circles in with a pastry cutter
- Fill each with a tbsp. of the mixture, brush half of the inside of the round with water and pinch shut, use a fork to seal again on the outside which also creates a lovely picture
- Brush with almond milk on the outside to glaze
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients,
- Poke wholes in the empanadas and place on a baking tray
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown
- Serve warm or cold
